April 24, 2011

TAMA NEWS-HERALD - IOWA FALLS (SPECIAL) The Iowa Valley Community College District Board of Directors approved TSP, Inc. as the architects for the addition and remodeling project at the Iowa Valley Education & Training Center, 206 E. Church St., in Marshalltown, and set a Public Hearing on the plans, specifications, contract, and estimated cost of the project for May 11 at 4 p.m., in Marshalltown.

IVCCD Chancellor Chris Duree explained that since presenting information on the proposed expansion project at the March meeting two additional grants were pursued to address the remaining anticipated cost. Both new grants need to know the actual cost of the project before committing and Dr. Duree explained that if the bids come in over the estimated project amount they may be rejected. “If the bids come in under $1.186 million we have acknowledgement of financial assistance from matching grants.”

Early Retirement Policy Extended

The Board approved a revised voluntary early retirement incentive policy that extends the date for submissions to June 1 that was originally March 1.

ACE Program for Associate Degree Nursing Approved

The Board approved an agreement for a 260G Accelerated Career Education Program for the Associate Degree Nursing program with Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center for four program positions. The program makes it possible for Iowa Valley to renovate space for nursing labs and equipment including a simulation lab that is used by both credit nursing students and non-credit health career training.

Utility Technician Program to use Interstate Power and Light Training Center

The Board approved an agreement with Interstate Power and Light Company in Marshalltown, to use its training center, classrooms, equipment and labs as needed for the Iowa Valley Utility Technician training program. Jacque Goodman, Vice Chancellor of Iowa Valley Continuing Education and Training explained that approximately three weeks of the 12-week program are spent at the training center. The pilot group of 10 students is training now; there are three full sessions scheduled that go through December; and there is a waiting list. Goodman noted that IVCE has multiple partners in this project where graduates of the program will be able to start at an apprenticeship level.

New Degree Programs

Two new program proposals were approved by the Board, paving the way for final approval by the Iowa Department of Education. Courses and advisory councils are in place for both the Entertainment Design Technology Program at Marshalltown Community College, and the Paralegal Program at Iowa Valley Community College Grinnell. Once final approval is received from the State, the IVCCD programs will offer Associate in Applied Science degrees.

Ellsworth Community College Osgood Library

Sandra Greufe, Ellsworth Community College Library Supervisor, introduced the Board to the activities of the ECC Osgood Library, noting that students can access the electronic card catalog through the district’s new Sirsi Dynix’s Symphony library operating system that launched last summer. Students can search for books and put them on hold from their home computer. Greufe noted that one of her goals is to improve the research material available. When she arrived the average age of a book was 1975. She has removed nearly 3,000 out-dated books, some that were dated 1939 and earlier, and has 100 new titles on order.

The Board approved the 2011 graduate lists for ECC and MCC, and an ECC Bookstore Gift Card program. The Board will hold a retreat on April 27 at 4 p.m. and meet in regular session at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, both at the District Office in Marshalltown.